Between Microsoft & Paavai Institutions

Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd. today announced the launch of Microsoft Innovation Center (MIC) on Paavai Institutions Campus which is one among the 15 MICs in India, on 06.12.12. The MOU was exchanged between Mr. Joseph Landes of Microsoft and Shri.N.V Natarajan FCA, Chairman of Paavai Institutions.
Shri.N.V.Natarajan, in his presidential address, explained how Paavai Institutions have got the Microsoft recognition to emerge as Microsoft Innovation Center after two years of hardwork, dedication, and creativity shown by the professors, faculty and students. He described to the gathering that Pavai students submitted their innovative ideas for ideation festivals and those ideas were shortlisted for a presentation to a group of corporate experts, one on 22nd June 2011 and another on 29th September 2012. From the presentation, 30 innovative ides have been selected by the corporate IT Professionals for further implementation after the winter holidays. He said that the innovative center is a center of excellence for Paavai Institutions with regard to Research and innovation.
He thanked Microsoft Corporation for their support in recognizing the innovative efforts of Paavai Students and said that he looks forward to having lasting association with Microsoft India, in the days to come. The Chairman expressed his happiness that 75 windows 8 Apps developed by Paavai Students, during the recently held WOWZAPP2012 on Paavai Campus on 9th & 10th of Nov 2012, have already been certified by Microsoft and uploaded on the Windows Store and he also mentioned that already 100+ Paavai Students have registered in the Imagine Cup, which is another competition from Microsoft that fosters innovation among students to address key global challenges.
Mr. Andrew Winston, Vice-President, Polaris Software Lab, Chennai, the Special Guest for the occasion, greatly appreciated the infrastructure of Paavai in his felicitation address. He advised the Paavai Students to make the best use of this Microsoft Innovation Center by saying, that he studied in those days when facilities were minimal and one had to struggle hard in the pursuit of getting information & knowledge. Therefore, he urged the students to learn the server technologies, advanced networking, Mobile, Robotic and Cloud technologies using the Microsoft Products and become experts even before leaving the Campus.
Mr. Joseph Landes, General Manager, DPE, Microsoft India, said, "The Microsoft Innovation Centers are designed to offer a unique environment conducive for student entrepreneurship. As knowledge and innovation become primary catalysts for economic growth in India, the Microsoft Innovation Centers can play a vital role in generating powerful new ideas through training, education and knowledge transfer." Mr Joseph Landes mentioned that there are a very few Microsoft Innovation Centers across the world He stated that in India, there are 15 MICs and Microsoft is currently launching 14 Microsoft Innovation Centers (MICs) in India by signing MoUs with leading academic institutions in India.
And it is a proud moment for Paavai Institutions to be one among the 15 MICs functioning across India. He appreciated the efforts of both the faculty and the students in earning a Microsoft Innovation Center status for Paavai. Mr. Landes said that MIC program will drive innovation and help build a product-based software economy by supporting product development. Microsoft aims at launching a total of 100 MICs in India in the next two years, impacting over 5,00,000 students, certifying 1,00,000 students on Microsoft technologies and over 500 start-ups. Appreciating the infrastructure facilities available at Paavai Institutions, Mr.Joseph Landes said that given a chance, he would start his collegiate education all over again in Paavai. He also said that MIC programme will act as the key driver of Microsoft's vision for developing new talent in India at the student level. Budding developers will also be encouraged to innovate across key priority technology focus areas that are driving growth and change for the economy, namely: Mobility (Windows Phone), Cloud (Windows Azure), Kinect, Accessibility, Healthcare and a wider ambit for solving problems with an Indian focus. The programme came to an end with a message to the innovative students that they have "miles to go" before they sleep.